‘Tenor of the Philippines’ Nolyn Cabahug passes on

"Tenor of the Philippines" Nolyn Cabahug has passed on after years of battling renal disease, GMA News confirmed Monday evening.

Radio station 98.7 dzFE-FM announced Cabahug's passing on its Facebook page.

"We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of tenor Nolyn Cabahug, while at the same time we rejoice that his long battle with illness has finally ended and he is in the arms of the Lord in whom he entrusted his soul," the post said. 

Cabahug finished his Music degree at the University of the Philippines. In his long career, he won several accolades and awards in the Philippines and abroad, in countries such as Germany, The Netherlands, and Australia.

The Aliw Awards hailed him as the Best Classical Performer in 2003 and 2005, while the National Press Club recognized him as the National Opera Singer of the Year in 1990.

Cabahug found out he had an end-stage renal failure due to diabetes in 2009.

The doctors put him on dialysis while he awaited a kidney transplant.

Although his family and friends came forward, none of them was found to be a compatible donor. Then a stranger approached Cabahug one day and said that he wanted to donate one of his kidneys. Thankfully, the match was good.

In an interview with The 700 Club Asia in 2012, Cabahug said that he had always believed in God's miracles and perfect timing.

"I never felt fear. I never felt discouraged. Parati kong iniisip na God [will] fulfill your number of days eh. Promise niya iyan," he said.

"Kung iyon lang ang number of days ko, hanggang doon lang, no use arguing kung disease lang talaga iyon, I am sure the power of God ang mangingibabaw."

— Trisha Macas/BM, GMA News